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In Re MORTON McMICHAEI, 


INCLUDING 


Unpublished Letters by Henry Clay, 
William M. Thackeray 
and Others 


rj? 


y 


Edited by 

ALBERT MORDELL Esq. 

n 

Of The Philadelphia Bar 


PRIVATELY PRINTED 




Copyright, 1921, by 
Charles B. McMichael 


INDEX 

PAGE 


Foreword. 

Morton McMichael by Judge Charles B. 
McMichael 5 

The Literary Career of Morton McMichael 
by Albert Mordell 11 

Hitherto Unpublished Letters to Morton 
McMichael 21 

Some Notes from Thackeray to Morton 
McMichael 37 

Appendix. 

Tribute of Joseph G. Rosengarten 41 

Tribute of George G. Pierie 42 






















• i 




















































- 






















































* 















> 





















































FOREWORD 


MORTON McMICHAEL 
By 

Charles B. McMichael 

The phase of the mental activity of Morton Mc- 
Michael described by Mr. Albert Mordell, was when 
the former was editor of several magazines and liter- 
ary publications from about 1828 to 1844. Mr. Mordell 
has shown how appreciative Morton McMichael was of 
the early manifestations of genius of the American 
poets, Poe and Lowell; they lived in Philadelphia dur- 
ing a portion of that period and wrote for the maga- 
zines he edited; and Mr. Mordell has alluded to the 
productive work of Morton McMichael. N. P. Willis 
is another American author who wrote for the maga- 
gines edited by Morton McMichael. 

The early life-work of Morton McMichael was de- 
voted to encouraging and fostering American authors 
and literature. He was also an orator to whom atten- 
tion had been drawn when he was very young by his 
address of welcome when LaFayette revisited Amer- 
ica. Later Morton McMichael was invited to New 
England, where he made an address which was con- 
sidered a model of eloquence. I think he took more 
pride in this oration than any other. He spoke 
from the same platform as Edward Everett, and 
told me, when I once asked him about his New Eng- 
land address, that he was satisfied with it, but 
others told me that he surpassed Everett. Other 
addresses that confirmed his fame as an orator were 


6 


In Re Morton McMichael 


his patriotic speech at the Academy of Music just 
prior to the Civil War and his speech when a sword 
was presented to General Meade by the City of Phila- 
delphia at the headquarters of the Army of the 
Potomac on the Rapahannock River in 1862 ; his speech 
as Chairman of the Republican Convention which 
nominated General Grant for a second term; his 
speech when the ground in Fairmount Park was given 
to the Centennial Exhibition ; his address at the dedi- 
cation of the John Welsh memorial at the U. of P. — 
all of these I heard, altho I was a mere boy, for I 
never missed an opportunity to listen to him. He was 
ready as an impromptu speaker and his memory was 
extraordinary. When he had written an address he 
never looked at it a second time, but the stenographic 
report of his speech would correspond verbatim et 
literatim with the original draft. 

After his term as sheriff ended, he purchased the 
“ North American,” and the “ United States Gazetted ’ 
He owned and edited those papers until his death. His 
active career as a journalist was from 1844 until 1879. 
In politics he was a Whig while that party was in 
existence and he was an admirer and friend of Henry 
Clay. He was a delegate to the convention that first 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency and 
from that time was a Republican until his death. 

Morton McMichael was considered for the Vice 
Presidency of the United States when General Grant 
was nominated for the second term. The Ambassador- 
ship to Great Britain was tendered to him by General 
Grant, but he declined it. Morton McMichael thought 
he could not afford to live with the dignity which the 
Embassy to Great Britain required. He was also con- 
sidered for a cabinet position by General Grant. Gen- 
eral Grant dined at my father’s house with several 


Foreword 


7 


members of his cabinet, among others James G. 
Blaine, and the subject of the ambassadorship and 
the cabinet position was spoken of at that time. 
Among others at this dinner was his son, Fred. Grant, 
afterwards General Frederick Grant, who was about 
my age. Morton McMichael was temporary Chairman 
of the Convention that nominated General Grant for 
a second term, but he opposed the nomination of Gen- 
eral Grant for a third term. 

He was President of the Park Commission of Phila- 
delphia from 1864 to 1879, from the time of its orig- 
inal inception until his death. He was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1873 and after the 
death of William M. Meredith, presided over the Con- 
vention. 

My earliest recollections of him hark back to the old 
office of the * i North American’ ’ on Third Street op- 
posite Dock. I remember very well the numerous 
“omnibus lines” which had their terminus there and 
I have a hazy impression of the old Post Office. I saw 
Abraham Lincoln raise the flag at Independence Hall 
in February, 1861, and I met President Lincoln, who 
was with the delegation to the Army of the Potomac in 
1862 when the sword was presented to General Meade. 
I also saw an incident similar to the one which has 
been dramatically presented by Drinkwater in his play 
on Lincoln. I remember very well that just before the 
party started from Washington for the front, a woman 
threw herself on her knees before President Lincoln 
and begged the life of her son, a young soldier, who 
had been sentenced to death for sleeping on his post. 
The President granted a pardon to the boy. 

During the War of the Rebellion the Editorial Office 
of the “North American” was the meeting place of 
many distinguished men, William M. Meredith, J. I. 


8 


In Re Morton McMichael 


Clark Hare, Charles Gilpin, Charles Gibbons, George 
Boker and others. And it was there Hon. J. I. Clark 
Hare suggested the idea of the Union Club which after- 
wards developed into the Union League. 

I used to spend my Saturday morning holidays at 
the ‘ ‘ North American” office and was an eager listener 
to the brilliant talk of these distinguished gentlemen. 

I went away to Harvard College in 1866 and after 
my return in 1870, I began the study of law and was 
admitted to the Philadelphia bar in 1872. 

Shortly after this I went to Europe with my father 
and we visited Great Britain and the Continent. He 
was welcomed and entertained by English Statesmen 
and altho I did not go with him to all formal dinners, 
I became acquainted with many famous literary and 
dramatic people: Charles Reade, Henry Irving, the 
family of Charles Dickens, the Sotherns, Mr. and Mrs. 
Dion Boucicault, Chevalier Wykoff, Planchet and 
many others. Among those in England who enter- 
tained my father were the Ex-Emperor Napoleon III, 
the Duke of Devonshire, John Morley and Junius S. 
Morgan, the father of J ohn Pierpont Morgan. 

Until the death of my father I was his constant com- 
panion. Even as a young boy he had taken me with 
him upon many journeys through Pennsylvania and 
I used to go to the theatre with him every Monday 
night from the time I was a boy of ten until just before 
his death, except during the years I was at college. 

As he was an orator himself, he hoped, I daresay, 
to make one of me, and he had me trained in elocution 
by Murdock, the actor, who was a teacher of that art, 
but his oratorical gift seemed to descend to my 
brothers, William and Clayton, but not to me. 

My father never spoke a harsh word to me or to 
any of his family, nor did I ever hear him speak un- 


Foreword 


9 


kindly of or to any human being. He was as joyous 
and considerate at home as when in the company of 
his most intimate companions. He let me choose the 
college I preferred and the profession I thought I could 
succeed best in — Harvard College and the Law, respec- 
tively, and although I daresay he grieved a bit that 
I did not show more oratorical talent, he seemed to 
realize that I would work hard in my profession. 

The bond between us was strong, and his personal- 
ity was so marked and my love for him so great, that 
altho he died more than forty years ago, I miss him 
continuously. It seems as tho we must meet again. 
Who knows? He had a happy life and one which was 
of use to the community in which he lived. 

He had hosts of friends, a loving family and no 
enemies. There is written on the base of his statue 
in Fairmount Park, “A beloved Citizen of Philadel- 
phia^ and that is a true epitome of his public life 
and character. 

Morton McMichael was careless of his posthumous 
fame, and made no effort to preserve his speeches or 
literary productions. I thought it might interest his 
descendants to have the foregoing brief reminiscences 
preserved and set down and also to have published 
some of the many letters he received from Henry Clay, 
John M. Clayton and other statesmen with whom he 
was intimate, and from William Makepeace Thack- 
eray, the novelist. 

I think the greatest services Morton McMichael ren- 
dered the City of Philadelphia were when, as sheriff, 
he quelled the Anti Catholic riots, and when as Mayor, 
by his vision and by his energy he foresaw and made 
a reality of Fairmount Park. To that great under- 
taking he devoted the years from 1864 to 1879. 



THE LITERARY CAREER OF 


MORTON McMICHAEL* 
By 

ALBERT MORDELL 


It often happens that men who have supreme gifts 
in a particular direction, divert themselves to other 
spheres for various reasons. Many people who pos- 
sess faculties that are both unusual and highly de- 
veloped, suddenly cease exercising them to take up 
other lines of activity. There can be no question that 
some of the world’s great merchants, diplomats and 
statesmen would have shone in other Departments 
had they chosen to concentrate all their energies there- 
in. There have been cases where men have been 
equally great in several spheres. Lord Beaconsfield, 
for example, who was both a great novelist and a 
great Statesman. It no doubt some times proves un- 
fortunate that some men suspend as it were, their gifts 
to take up something that is either more practical or 
popular. 

Morton McMichael, the subject of this sketch, began 
his career as a journalist, poet, critic and editor, but 
in a short time engaged in political activities, and 
finally became the Mayor of Philadelphia. He returned 
to his career of journalist and editor in the latter part 
of his life, when he became the sole owner of the 
“ North American.” Much has been said about Mor- 

♦Reprinted by permission, with slight alterations from The Phila- 
delphia Record for Sunday, January 11. 1920. 


12 


In Re Morton McMichael 


ton McMichael ’s capabilities as a public administra- 
tor, and as a benefaetory citizen. An attempt will be 
made in this article to dwell on the literary side of 
Morton McMichael. 

Morton McMichael was bom on October 20, 1807, in 
Burlington County, New Jersey. He came to Phila- 
delphia as a child. He graduated from the University 
of Pennsylvania, and studied law in the office of David 
Paul Brown, and also under William M. Meredith. He 
was admitted to the Bar in 1827. However, already 
before he had become a member of the Bar, he was 
engaged as editor for the “Saturday Evening Post” 
in 1826. He soon entered upon a varied editorial 
career and was connected with several periodicals. In 
1831 he was editor of the ‘ 4 Saturday Courier, ’ ’ and in 
1836 he was connected with the “Saturday News.” 
In 1842 he was one of the editors of “Godey’s Ladies 1 
Book, ’ ’ and his name appears on the title page of that 
once famous publication for the years of 1843 and 
1844. While he was editor, many distinguished Ameri- 
can Men of Letters contributed to Godey’s, among 
them, James Russell Lowell and Edgar Allan Poe. 
In those days neither Lowell nor Poe had the great 
literary distinction that was soon to become theirs, 
and Morton McMichael was among the first to recog- 
nize their exceptional literary abilities. 

McMichael in 1844 was also associated with 
“ Neale ’s Gazette,” and on January 1, 1847, trans- 
ferred his activities to Graham ’s Magazine. After 
1848, he was connected with the “North American,” 
with Judge Conrad and Robert Montgomery Bird. In 
1854, McMichael became the sole proprietor of the 
“North American.” 

The distinguishing feature of McMichaePs work as 
editor was his liberality of mind and the encourage- 


The Literary Career of Morton McMichael 13 

ment he gave to unknown authors. He helped to make 
Philadelphia a literary center in the forties, when 
the leading American writers were congregated here. 
He was on terms of intimacy with nearly all of them 
and was much beloved by them all. 

Another trait of McMichaePs was his singular 
modesty when his own productions were concerned. 
Many of them are buried unsigned in the files of those 
periodicals, and also in some of the newspapers, for 
which he once wrote, like the ‘ ‘ Daily Chronicle,” and 
all hope of tracing them has been lost. When he be- 
came the editor of the “ North American,” his policy 
was to speak kindly of people, to battle for ideals with- 
out attacking individuals. 

Early in his career, McMichael became quite a re- 
nowned orator, and his orations show a supreme com- 
mand of the English language. He was much in de- 
mand as an orator and a public speaker for the rest 
of his life. His powers as a speaker helped him to 
defy the mob who attempted to burn the Colored Or- 
phans * Asylum, on 13th and Callowhill Streets, in 
1838. 

In the next year McMichael delivered a famous ad- 
dress on Popular Education before the Northern 
Lyceum of Philadelphia. This was published in 
pamphlet form and is accessible in our libraries. Elo- 
quence and felicitous choice of words characterize 
his excellent addresses. McMichaePs scholarship, 
showing his acquaintance with the ancient literature 
produced in the age of “The glory that was Greece and 
the Grandeur that was Rome,” and his passionate 
enthusiasm for knowledge are also distinguishing 
traits of his addresses. One can enumerate but a 
few of the famous addresses that McMichael delivered 
during the course of his life. His speech at the Chinese 


14 


In Be Morton McMichael 


Museum, during the Irish Famine, was marked with 
great power. His Agricultural Address in Boston, 
Mass., on October 26, 1855, impressed Robert Win- 
throp and Edward Everett greatly. His speech on 
July 4, 1873, as president of the Park Commission, 
when he transferred the ground to the United States 
Centennial Commission, and his oration on the pre- 
sentation of the John Welsh Endowment to the Uni- 
versity of Pennsylvania, were both of a high order and 
were compared to the orations of Burke and Webster. 

In all these orations the profusion of ideas and the 
choice of idiomatic English, show the lterary man, 
which was still keenly alive within him. It should be 
stated that he greatly admired Milton’s “Paradise 
Lost,” which he always carried about with him. 

McMichael entered politics about 1840, and this date 
marks off the period in his life when his literary activi- 
ties were somewhat suspended. 

He had several years previously also made quite a 
reputation as a poet. When he was only twenty-nine 
years of age, a poem of his called “Monody” was 
published in the “Philadelphia Book,” in 1836. This 
is an eulogy on the death of one who was moved by 
great ambitions and died young. The poem reminds 
one of Hawthorne’s celebrated tale “The Ambitious 
Guest.” It was highly praised by Edgar Allan Poe 
in “Graham’s Magazine” for December, 1841, in the 
article on Autography, which has since been included 
among Poe’s collected works. Poe wrote as follows: 
“Mr. McMichael is well known to the Philadelphia 
public by the number and force of his prose, composi- 
tions, but he has seldom been tempted into book pub- 
lication. As a poet, he has produced some remarkably 
vigorous things. I have seldom seen a finer composi- 
tion than a certain celebrated Monody.” 


The Literary Career of Morton McMichael 15 

When one recalls the extreme severity with which 
Poe judged the verse of his contemporaries, and the 
acerbity and virulence with which he wrote of mediocre 
poetry, this is indeed great praise. Any poem that 
has merited such laudatory comment from so fine a 
critic and poet as Poe, deserves to be remembered, and 
the poem is here re-printed from the Philadelphia 
Book, where it appears on page 209. 


MONODY. 


Departed one, farewell! 

A long — a last farewell we bid thee now : 

Pale death hath set his signet on thy brow ; 

And in that dreamless cell, 

Where worn mortality cast off its woes, 

In blest oblivion of all earthly throes, 

Where but the lifeless dwell, 

Thou hast laid down in everlasting rest: 

Care cannot reach thee now, nor grief distract thy 
breast. 

Unfortunate ! thy soul 

Was nobler far than men’s of common mould; 

But, through thy heart a tide of feeling roll ’d 
That might not brook control, 

Nor be restrained in its impetuous course, 

But onward rushed, as bounds an Arab horse, 

Seeking his destined goal: 

Thy spirit sought renown and this to gain, 

Thou didst encounter toil and penury and pain. 


16 


In Re Morton McMichael 


Alas that man should bow 
So slavishly before the phantom Fame 
Or feverish thirst of an immortal name 
Hath power to scathe the brow, 

With the deep line of premature decay 
Those outward tokens which too well display 
What words may not avow — 

The inly spirits travail, and the pain, 

That rolls in floods of fire across the aching brain. 

Thine was a hapless fate ! 

Though genius girt thee with his magic spell, 

And bright-eyed Fancy loved with thee to dwell, 

And Thy rapt mind elate, 

Born upwards on its viewless wings would soar 
The empyrean through and all its heights explore ; 
Yet couldst thou not create, 

With all thy gifted skill, the deathless name, 

For which the bosom burned with an absorbing flame. 

Thou wert but young to die ! 

Yet brief and transient as thy life hath been, 

In gazing o’er its many colored scene, 

Too much we may descry 

Of deep and wasting care, and the keen sense, 

Of injury and wrong, corroding and intense ; 

Then better thus to lie 

In thine appointed house, the narrow grave, 

Than be to this cold world a victim or a slave. 

Lamented one! fond eyes 

Have wept for thee till all their founts were dry, 

And from fond lips hath burst the thrilling cry, 

And moans and choking sighs, 

Have swelled the anguished heart and that deep grief, 


The Literary Career of Morton McMichael 17 

To which nor time nor change can bring relief, 
Untimely sacrifice ! 

Friendship hath poured for thee the willing tear 
And strangers mourned thy doom standing beside thy 
bier. 

Yet let us not repine 

Thy loss of earth to thee is heavenly gain. 

Thou hast exchanged a state of woe and pain 
For one that’s all divine; 

And springing from the darkness of thy clay, 

Uprisen in a new and glorious day : 

The place of rest is thine, — 

Thy race is o’er — thou hast obtained the goal, 
Where mortal sin and strife no more possess control. 


Morton McMichael also wrote a biography of anoth- 
er writer of the time, Richard Penn Smith ; of this Poe 
said that it was “very well written.” Mr. McMichael 
praised Smith’s dramatic efforts, and Poe commented 
— “I have only to add that I have the highest respect 
for the judgment of Mr. McMichael.” 

After McMichael entered politics, he corresponded 
with several of the leading statesmen of the Country, 
among whom were Henry Clay, Senator Clayton, 
Breckenbridge, James Buchanan and General Scott. 
Some of these letters are in the possession of his son, 
Judge Charles B. McMichael, and are reprinted in this 
booklet for the first time. It should also be mentioned 
that Morton McMichael corresponded with many of 
the literary men, among the most notable of whom was 
William Makepeace Thackeray. A few pages about 
the friendship with Thackeray are also included in 
this booklet, 


18 


In Re Morton McMichael 


As Sheriff of Philadelphia during 1843 to 1846, Mc- 
Michael suppressed the Anti-Catholic riots. He was 
Mayor of the City from 1866 to 1869. 

When Morton McMichael died, on January 6th, 1879, 
great sorrow befell the city. All the newspapers had 
editorials attesting to the great veneration in which 
his rival newspapers held him, and tribute was paid 
to him at a public meeting in the Common Council 
Chamber, where speeches were delivered by Eli Kirk 
Price, General Robert Patterson, Daniel Dougherty, 
the silver-tongued orator and Col. John W. Forney. 
The courts were adjourned, meetings were held by the 
city Journalists and by the Board of Managers of the 
Commercial Exchange. In a memorial address held 
April 17, 1879, in the hall of the Historical Society of 
Penna., Col. Forney said of McMichael, 4 ‘ This one man 
seems to me in his own sphere to have well filled in a 
quiet way more human conditions and enjoyed more 
human pleasures and given more satisfaction in return 
to his fellow creatures than any other within my knowl- 
edge or reading.” 

Many years later, Philadelphia showed its tribute to 
McMichael by having erected a statue of him in Fair- 
mount Park, on the East side of the Schuylkill River, 
below Girard Avenue bridge. 

McMichael was a type of the genial and courteous 
gentleman, who in spite of being both a newspaper 
man and politician, created no enemies. He was very 
democratic, though in his veins flowed the blood of 
old Colonial families. He was willing to listen to 
the cause of the most humble individual and he min- 
gled freely with all. There was nothing artificial 
about him, and human kindness seemed a second na- 
ture to him. He was generally loved by the people 
who worked with him as much as by his friends. I 


The Literary Career of Morton McMichael 19 

include herein two letters attesting to his qualities, 
one by George G. Pierie, who worked for him, and one 
by the late J. G. Rosengarten. 

He was distinctly the literary man who had entered 
public life, but still retained his literary interests. 
These stood him in great stead in his many public 
addresses and in the many after dinner speeches which 
he delivered. In the thirty years with which his name 
was connected with the “ North American,” he raised 
the plane of that paper to a very high standard 
and made Philadelphia Journalism much respected 
throughout the country. He was always interested in 
pleading for truth, justice and never descended into 
the mire of personal abuse. Not inferior to his great 
work as Mayor of the City and editor of the “ North 
American” were his services in giving Philadelphia 
its literary tone in the forties, when he wrote for 
“Graham’s Magazine,” and “Godey’s Ladies’ Book,” 
and did much to develop literary talent in this city. 

In the history of Philadelphia, the name of Morton 
McMichael must be reckoned with and Dr. Ellis P. 
Oberholtzer refers to him quite frequently in his 
“Literary History of Philadelphia,” as well as in the 
history of Philadelphia. 

In a final resume, Morton McMichael probably ap- 
pears most attractive to us when hobnobbing with Poe 
and discussing books and literature with Richard Penn 
Smith, Judge Conrad, Robert M. Bird and others. 




% 


HITHERTO UNPUBLISHED LETTERS 


PRESERVED BY 

Morton McMichael 

FROM 

Nicholas Biddle, Senator John M. Clayton, General 
Winfield Scott, Senator John J. Critten- 
den, Henry Clay and President 
James Buchannan. 

The following letters received by Morton McMichael 
during various periods of his career have hitherto 
never been published before. McMichael, who de- 
stroyed the correspondence he received, preserved 
these letters no doubt on account of the national promi- 
nence of the writers. The originals of these letters 
are in the possession of Judge McMichael. The writers 
are the famous banker Nicholas Biddle, Senator John 
M. Clayton, of Delaware, Secretary of State under 
Taylor, and famous because of the Clayton-Bulwer 
Treaty; General Winfield Scott; Senator John J. Crit- 
tenden, of Kentucky, famous as a Governor and as 
United States Attorney General; Henry Clay, and 
President James Buchanan. 

The long letter from Henry Clay, dated September 
16th, 1848, is of unusual historical importance, and 
sheds some new light on American history during the 
period when Clay was spoken of for the Presidency 
and defeated for the nomination by General Taylor. 
1 respectfully call the attention of American his- 
torians to this letter . 


Albert Mordell. 


22 


In Re Morton McMichael 


Oct. 13, 1843. 

Morton McMichael, Esq. 

Phila. 

My dear Sir, 

When a citizen has achieved any great triumph, it 
is a natural duty to visit those who have elevated him 
and return civilities for their kindness. If he should 
even exceed a little the bounds of this empire, and 
step over into an adjoining province to shake hands 
with well wishers who cannot go to see him, he will 
in so doing by no means compromise his official 
dignity. 

Such thoughts came into my mind when I first saw 
your success* — and my present purpose is to say that 
whenever you can find leisure to come and see me I 
shall be happy to receive you. Say the same to our 
friend Judge Conrad, whom it will rejoice me to see 
and if Mr. Godey inclines to come up with “the 
Sherra” as he once did with the Editor he will do me 
a singular favor. 

I beg to assure you that in this election your pros- 
pects were those which most occupied my thoughts 
and that no one rejoices more sincerely in your suc- 
cess, than 

Yrs with true regard, 

N. Biddle. 


McMichael was then elected Sheriff. 


Unpublished Letters 


23 


New Castle — Del., July 13, 1844. 
My dear McMichael, 

Eurra for Clayton. McMichael ! That fellow is des- 
tined to be a hero. He was born flagrante hello . The 
shouts of the combatants and the roar of artillery and 
arms rung in the little one’s ears (God bless him!) 
oe his first entrance to this troublesome and noisy 
world. I have set my heart on making him a hero, 
and have sworn to stand by him as well as his father, 
till my gray head is cold. Present me most affection- 
ately as his Godfather to his mother and ever hon- 
oured may she be ! 

Public opinion is now all turning in your favour 
wherever it had been perverted or poisoned against 
you. All here are for Morton McMichael; and Bird 
has actually quarreled with and cursed everybody he 
could meet, who did not at once agree to a favorite 
position of his videlicit; that the aforesaid Morton 
McMichael has proved that he has more sound sense 
than any other man in Philadelphia, He actually 
raved away to a youth of 19 named Alger (who had 
just returned from the city and said you had not done 
your duty) till the youth cried and admitted what Bird 
insisted on, that he was (rather) am, ass! 

David R. Porter has won golden opinions here by 
his sayings in Philada. Tell him to have nothing to 
do with Polk berries. They would poison him. I did 
all I could for his brother, James, who has made a 
great mistake since. Clay will be elected, no matter 
how Pa. goes. 

May God bless you and protect you! My heart has 
within the last two weeks ached a thousand times 


24 


In Re Morton McMichael 


through fear that some cursed unlucky bullet might 
reach yours amidst the confusion of these infernal 
riots. 

I have (in confidence) just written an article on the 
Zollverein Treaty for Gaby & Seaton. It starts for 
W. by mail this morning — but the rascality of the 
intermediate post offices renders its passage to W. un- 
certain. Look in the next week’s papers for it. 




Ever faithfully your friend, 



John M. Clayton. 


Unpublished Letters 


25 


Washington — Jany. 12, 1845. 


My dear McMichael, 

The Oregon debate in the Senate was this day post- 
poned till Monday the 10th February next. 

We shall move to amend the resolution so as to 
permit (not require) the Prest. when in his judgt. the 
welfare of the nation requires it, to give the notice. 
We gain strength & I begin to believe we shall compel 
these fellows to settle this Oregon dispute. Things 
look well — very well. The two C’s & I had a long & 
full understanding to day again inter nos . G. Davis *s 
minority report in the House is an error. Congress 
is the body to give the notice. 

In haste & in confidence, 

Ever faithfully yours, 

Jno. M. Clayton. 

Ridicule the idea that the notice is equivalent to a 
declaration of war. Fudge! When a bill to occupy 
the territory to the exclusion of the British north of 
the River comes up, then we shall make a stand . 

P. S. I believe the N York Legislature will unani- 
mously (Colingsdale) instruct for notice. 


26 


In Re Morton McMichael 


Office, Wednesday, June 24, ’46. 


My dear Sir: 

Beturning home, from my office, last night, I found 
your card, & I went immediately to Capitol Hill to 
visit my sick friends Clayton & Crittenden — as well 
as to learn of the former where I might find you. 
Coming back, I stopped at Coleman’s, in the hope of 
taking you & luggage, home with me. I left a card 
to that effect. I hope you will occupy the room — or 
at least, take a plate with me today — say at 1/2 past 
4 o’clock. I prefer the former. 

I am much occupied in my office till 4 P. M. & then 
again till 9 at night. 

Yr friend 

Winfield Scott. 

Tomorrow, I have agreed to dine with my friend 
Winthrop — not having dined out, in 5 weeks, nor seen 
Pennsylvania Avenue, in that time, till I went to the 
funeral yesterday. 


M. McMichael Esq. 


W. S. 


Unpublished Letters 


27 


Frankfort — April 29th 1847. 

My dear Sir, 

I commenced a letter to you on the 7th of this month, 
but was interrupted, and till now have not been able 
to resume the task. 

Your letter was received and concurring entirely in 
your suggestions, I immediately wrote to Genl Taylor 
— giving him some account of you, & inclosing to him 
your letter, with such remarks as I thought might sus- 
tain and enforce your views. 

I think we may rest assured that Genl Taylor will 
not allow himself to be drawn into any act of impro- 
priety or indiscretion on the subject alluded to. In 
truth, he does not wish for the Presidency, and there- 
fore has none of those weaknesses which that ambi- 
tion produces, & which render men so easy to be led 
astray. While he is at the head of our Army in Mex- 
ico, he will be “General Taylor” — nothing more & 
nothing else — He will not, as I think he ought not, 
mix himself up at all with Presidential or political 
questions or matters — At the proper time, I have no 
doubt, he will consent to serve in the office of Presi- 
dent, if his country should require it, and then he will 
do it, as I verily believe, more from regard to the 
public will, than from any wish of his own — Such a 
character is not very likely to be tempted into any act 
of indiscretion on the subject, and, being forwamed, 
he can not now be surprised into that which we feared. 

Taylor is the all Hail here — The popularity of Genl 
Jackson or Genl Harrison was nothing, so far as my 
observation extends to that which Taylor now enjoys. 


28 


In Re Morton McMichael 


He would now carry the State of Kent’y by more than 
50,000 votes — In him we have the Victory as certain 
as he lives — Enthusiasm for him seems to govern the 
whole land. 

I see from your paper that our friend, J M. Clay- 
ton, calls his farm & residence Buena Vista — I didn’t 
need that evidence to assure me that he had been 
thrown into the enthusiastic State — How I should like 
to have him to parade, for one night, before you & I, 
with old Rough & Ready for his subject — and his boy, 
Bill, in the back ground to give us occasionally a little 
“aid & comfort” — It would be a scene worth enjoying. 

If you should see Clayton shortly, give him my kind- 
est regards, & my congratulations on our great Whig 
prospects. 

Very respectfully 

Yr Friend &c 

J J Crittenden 


Morton McMichael Esq. 


Unpublished Letters 


29 


Ashland 1st Dec. 1847. 

My dear Sir 

I reed your favor of the 24th ulto. and return en- 
closed the rough draught of my resolutions, with the 
endorsement on them requested, to which you and my 
young friend, your son, attach too much importance. 

The important point of my resolutions was that sug- 
gesting that Congress has the Constitutional power, 
and that it is its bounden duty, to specify the objects 
for which the War with Mexico shall be further prose- 
cuted. If it will fulfill that duty, I am persuaded that 
we shall soon have peace. If the Press concur with 
me on these opinions, ought it not to present them in 
the strongest light? And ought not public meetings 
of the People every where to proclaim their concur- 
rence ? 

Your friend 

H. Clay 

Morton McMichael Esq. 

P. S. Entre nous, all Kentucky will soon come out 
for a Nat. Convention to nominate Candidates for 

p. & y. p. 


h. c. 


30 


In Re Morton McMichael 


(Private) 

Ashland 16th Sept. 1848. 


My dear Sir 

Before I received today your favor of the 9th in- 
stant, I had written to N. York, to Virginia & to Ohio 
stating that I could not consent to accept a nomina- 
tion of me for the Presidency, if it were tendered; 
and that I could not consent to any further use of my 
name, in connection with that office. Some of these 
letters, or authorized paragraphs from them, will have 
been published prior to your receipt of this letter. 

I have discountenanced & discouraged all move- 
ments in my behalf, since the Philada. Convention. 

Beyond this I will not go. I cannot, as I am urged 
to do, take any active part in the Canvass, nor can I 
endorse General Taylor as a Whig. I, who for more 
than twenty years of my life, have been honestly and 
sincerely opposing the election of mere Military men 
for the Presidency, am not going to give the lie to 
myself, and step forward to support the noisiest mili- 
tary chieftain ever presented, as a Candidate for that 
office, to the American people. 

T think the Philada. Convention has placed the Whig 
party in a humiliating condition. It suffered itself 
to be menaced or frightened into a nomination, which 
it ought never to have made. It yielded to the over- 
bearing influence of some Southern & S. Western mem- 
bers of Congress. It proceeded upon the degrading 
assumption that the gullibility and not the intelligence 
of the people would decide the election. It had no 
authentic assurance, under the hand of Genl Taylor, 
revoking his insulting declaration that he would con- 


Unpublished Letters 


31 


tinue to stand as an Independent Candidate whoever 
the Convention might nominate; and yet it caught 
with avidity at a mere hocus pocus explanation of his 
position made by the Louisiana delegation, upon an 
unproduced letter alleged to be from him. 

I believe him to be wholly incompetent to the office. 
I lament to say that from circumstances which have 
fallen within my knowledge, I believe that he has 
practised duplicity, that he is vacillating and unstable. 

I cannot recommend my friends to vote for such a 
person. I do not seek to shake or change their opin- 
ions of him, but they must act on their own responsi- 
bility. I will not be instrumental in deceiving or mis- 
leading them. I will not expose myself to their re- 
proaches, if, being elected, they should be afterwards 
disappointed in his administration. 

The success of Genl Taylor will be to establish 
simply a personal party, the head of which has no 
known principles, and the course of his administra- 
tion will depend upon the unknown hands into which 
he must inevitably fall. And who they will be, accord- 
ing to the importunate weakness of poor human na- 
ture, we may conjecture that they mil be those who 
fawn upon and flatter him the most. 

I cannot lend myself to the accomplishment of such 
objects. Out of deference to my friends, who take a 
different view of the matter, I forbear to make any 
opposition to his election. I remain silent and pas- 
sive. My great solicitude now, that my public career 
is terminated, is to preserve unsullied my character. 

But I have another reason for my forbearance — I 
can give no support to Genl Cass. I deprecate his 
election. The case, as it presents itself to me, is be- 
tween the frying pan and the fire I wish to avoid 
both ; but if I make any choice it will be of the former. 


32 


In Re Morton McMichael 


You will find, I think, that Genl T. has two charac- 
ters, one his own, and the other alien, but covered by 
a Bliss. 

This letter you will regard confidential ; but I have 
no desire to conceal, and you are at liberty to publish, 
that, “whilst I feel the greatest obligations and under 
the deepest gratitude to my friends, who will wish 
for my election as President, I cannot accept of any 
nomination for that office, and I am not willing that 
my name should be further used in connection with it. ’ ’ 
I neither think it just nor politic to treat them with 
any abusive or harsh epithets. 

I am truly & faithfy 
Your friend &c 
H. Clay. 


Morton McMichael Esq. 


Unpublished Letters 


33 


Ashland 7th April 1849. 

My dear Sir 

Your very kind letter of the 13th ulto. addressed to 
me at N. Orleans, followed and reached me here. I 
perused attentively, and with much pleasure, the arti- 
cle in the N. American to which my attention was 
called. I owe most of the praise and commendation 
which it bestows, with so much eloquenc eand liberal- 
ity, to the generosity of your nature and to the fidelity 
of your friendship. 

I regret deeply that there is no encouraging pros- 
pect of the adoption of the scheme of gradual emanci- 
pation of the African race, at the approaching Con- 
vention, as proposed by me, or any other scheme. This 
inauspicious state of things is to be ascribed to the 
individual and unwise interference, on the subject of 
slavery, by violent abolitionists in other States, to the 
jealousy existing between the two rival parties of 
Whigs and Democrats in Kentucky, each fearing that 
the other might obtain some advantage over it, and 
to the timidity of leading individuals among us, in 
supporting their real sentiments. 

All this I knew when I wrote the letter, which has 
called forth an expression of your approbation; but 
I could not, towards the close of my life, relinquish 
the inestimable privilege of freely expressing my 
sentiments on a great public matter, however they 
might be received by the public. 

I am truly Your friend 
H. Clay 

Morton McMichael Esq. 


34 


In Re Morton McMichael 


Washington, Nov. 29/50. 


My dear Sir: 

For one month I have been over worked, 1. On 
ordinary office business; 2. Presiding over a Board 
of army officers ; 3. Writing my annual report, & 4. Re- 
ceiving and setting up furniture (from N. York) in a 
house at this place. And during this month I have 
received an unusual number of private letters — of 
great interest & importance — not one of which have 
I yet answered. Among these your kind letter de- 
mands my special notice & thanks. I ought also to 
write to our friend, Clayton, who has, like yourself, 
laid me under new & weighty obligations. 

But what can, or ought, I to say to kind & valuable 
friends, beyond the tender of my grateful respects & 
thanks? On political questions I do not intend to 
write or to converse except most sparingly, as I may 
chance to fall in, face to face, with persons entitled 
to my perfect confidence such as C. & yourself. You, 
probably, in the course of the winter my visit this 
place, on business or pleasure. I shall always be happy 
to meet you any & every where. 

Met Clayton — dinner was certainly a grand affair, 
independent of the allusion to me, & I congratulate 
our friend on the high & just estimate placed on his 
public services & personal virtues by his neighbors & 
recent constituents. 

In haste, 

Most truly Yrs 

Winfield Scott. 

M. McMichael Esq. 


Unpublished Letters 


35 


Friday 26 December. 


My dear Sir 

I am anxious to see you and know of no other mode 
than to invite you to a family dinner today. I am not 
yet “fixed” in my home, but still can give my friends 
a hearty welcome. Please, then, to come at 4 o’clock. 
You shall have good wine and a hearty welcome, if not 
a good dinner. 

From your friend 
Sincerely 
James Buchanan 


M. McMichael Esq 















SOME NOTES FROM THACKERAY TO 
MORTON McMICHAEL* 


Thackeray brought a letter to Mr. McMichael from 
an Ex-Minister. 

One evening at a supper Thackeray dropped his 
pocketbook. It was returned to him at New York. He 
wrote : 


Clarenden, New York, Feb. 2, 1853. 
Dear McMichael: 

The portemonnaie is mine sure enough. The New 
York tailor made me a breeches pocket incapable of 
retention of portemannaies — when shall I learn to 
keep that receptacle buttoned. 

Thank you for the paper, but I didn’t use the con- 
cluding words in Philadelphia which appear in the 
New York American. I only used them once at New 
York and just alluded to the children at home as be- 
ing thankful for the good done them. One mustn’t 
be always bringing the kids forward. 

Reed’s article is very pleasant reading, and I must 
make him and Messrs, the Editors my very best bow 
of acknowledgement. 

Surely I shall get a chance of seeing you all again 
in Philadelphia ere long. I hope so, and am yours 
always, dear McMichael, 

W. M. Thackebay. 


*It is unknown to Judge McMichael who possesses the originals 
of the Thackeray notes. I copied the letters from The Chicago 
Times of June 12th, 1887. Thanks are due to Mrs,. William A. 
Read, of New York City, who kindly permitted me to copy the 
clipping in a scrap-book she owns. A. M. 


38 


In Re Morton McMichael 


A later allusion to the incident is as follows: 

“Received of Morton McMichael, Esq., portemon- 
naie which contained 11 dollars, a piece of stone and 
a watchkey once. The stone and key remain with their 
other memorials of McMichael ’s fidelity — the dollars 
have passed away like many of the griefs and pleas- 
ures of 

W. M. Thackeray. 

‘ ‘ Playful Impromtu — Mr. Thackeray having dropped 
his purse at the festive-table of Morton McMichael, 
Esq., of Philadelphia, received the purse and its con- 
tents a few days after from his friend, whom he 
thanked in the following lines: 

“ McMichael, who sent me my cash and my purse, 

May count on my friendship for better or worse.’ ’ 

The following letter was written on the flap of an 
envelope, containing, probably, one of the preceding 
notes : 

My dear McMichael: 

Lest you should be making a party for Tuesday I 
write to him to say I am engaged to dinner on that 
day. Am not well, and must bear myself very soberly 
and cautiously. So please let us not have that jollifi- 
cation. 

Yours ever, 

W. M. Thackeray. 


Notes from Thackeray to Morton McMichael 39 

The following letter was written after Thackeray 
returned to England : 

My dear MacMichael : 

Should the bearer of this, my friend Captain Glynn, 
come to your village, I bespeak for him your kindness 
and hospitality. I wish I were coming with him. I 
wished as much the other day when I saw poor Reed 
in London before his departure in that fatal Arctic. 
Let us hope next year I may visit you. If all people 
will be but as glad to see me as I to see you, what a 
welcome I shall have ! 

I send my best regards to Dr. Bird, Dr. Bird, the 
novelist, whom I have just been reading. 

The trade may be dead in another year in England, 
— I fear if this war continues of ours. The dreadful 
interest so far surpasses all our fictions. 

Believe me always yours 

Dear MacMichael, 

W. M. Thackeray. 

36 Crislow 2 Square, Crompton, London. 


\ 



APPENDIX 


Tributes From J. G-. Bosengarten # 
and George G. Pierie to 
MOBTON McMICHAEL 

J. G. Bosengarten, 

1704 Walnut Street. 

Philadelphia, Nov. 19th, 1921. 

Albert Mordell, Esq., 

723 North American Building, 

Philadelphia. 

Dear Sir : — 

Thanks for the privilege of reading your tribute to 
the memory of Morton McMichael. Why not print 
with it the letter to him, so piously preserved by his 
son, Judge McMichael, as the best proof of the high 
regard in which he was held by his friends? There 
was one feature of his social life that deserves men- 
tion, — he was the life and soul of the informal gather- 
ings that in his day marked this city. There were 
frequent social meetings at Wm. D. Lewis’ and at 
Henry C. Carey’s — a notable figure with Vespers on 
Sunday afternoons at his hospitable home, — when all 
notable visitors were heartily welcomed. Mr. Mc- 
Michael was leader in all the social life of Philadel- 
phia that was so heartily appreciated by all strangers 
here. It was a marked feature of this city in his day 
and was greatly appreciated by its guests. So too 

* Mr. Rosengarten has died since. 


42 


In Re Morton McMichael 


at his office in the newspapers and magazines with 
which he was connected, there was a constant succes- 
sion of visitors representing all sections of this coun- 
try and many foreigners. His warm welcome was 
always valued, and he did much to make this city the 
centre of a hearty hospitality. Does not Thackeray 
speak of him as one of his hosts during his visits here, 
and did not Wm. B. Reed refer to it in a paper — 
“Haud Immemor” — of which a copy can no doubt be 
found in the Phila. Library? I can recall the welcome 
given by young contributors to the U. S. Gazette and 
the North American, when he was Editor, and the 
thoroughly representative character in which he stood 
for Philadelphia at all public occasions. 

A reproduction of his addresses and correspondence 
— if his letters have been preserved — would serve to 
renew the high esteem in which he was held by all 
who knew him. 

Yrs. Truly, 

J. G. Rosestgabten 

Albert Mordell, Esq. 

To: 

Albert Mordell, Esq., 

710 North American Bldg., 

Philadelphia. January 21st, 1921. 

Dear Sir: — 

In answer to your request for a few words about 
Morton McMichael, I am only too glad to add my trib- 
ute to this great Editor and Citizen, whose friendship 
I was privileged to enjoy. 

I met him before I was employed under him on the 
North American, in 1866, and can testify to the fact 


Appendix 


43 


that during the thirteen years I acted as Financial and 
Commercial Editor under him, I found him one of the 
most genial and delightful employers. He never re- 
buked anyone or spoke an unkind or harsh word. He 
was, in my opinion, one of the greatest Editors Amer- 
ica ever had. He colored the Paper with his personal- 
ity, which was a gentle and kindly one. He was what 
I would call a high class politician, utterly free from 
any suspicion of moral taint whatsoever. It is not 
generally known that he was three times mentioned 
for U. S. Senator ; in my opinion, had he been elected, 
he would have made a great one. He was a leader of 
men, had hosts of friends and no enemies. He was 
not only the greatest after-dinner speaker I ever 
heard, but was one of the greatest orators it has ever 
been my privilege to hear. 

I can attest to my great affection and esteem for 
Morton McMichael when I say I never pass by his 
Statue in Fairmount Park, on the East side of the 
Schuylkill River, near Girard Avenue, but I take my 
hat off to it, in reverence and memory of the man. 

In conclusion, let me characterize him as a follower 
of the great Arab described by Leigh Hunt in his 
poem, “Abou Ben Adhem,” as a lover of his fellow 
men. 

Very sincerely, 

George G. Pierie. 


THE END. 










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